The Perfect Cheese Pairing For Sopressata: A Guide

Soppressata is a dry salami, usually made with pork or beef. It is seasoned with fennel, red wine, Grappa, and picante spices. When it comes to finding the best cheese to pair with it, a creamy, semi-soft cheese with a supple, buttery flavour is the perfect match. Havarti is one such cheese, complementing the herbs and spices in the salami while bringing out its own earthy and nutty notes. Another excellent option is Fromager d'Affinois, a dense, creamy blend of pasteurized cow, goat, and sheep milk from Italy’s Piedmont region.

Fromager d'Affinois is a good cheese to pair with sopressata

Fromager d'Affinois is a French double-crème cheese, often likened to Brie, that pairs well with sopressata. Its creamy texture and delicate flavour make it a versatile cheese that can be enjoyed on its own or as part of a charcuterie board. The cheese is made from cow's milk and has a mild, sweet, buttery, and creamy profile, with a hint of tanginess. This unique combination of flavours and textures makes it a perfect match for the herbs and spices in the sopressata, allowing the meat's seasoning to shine through.

When creating a charcuterie board, it is important to consider the different textures and flavours of the cheeses and meats to create a well-rounded and delicious spread. Fromager d'Affinois has a rich, buttery taste and a thick, whipped-like texture that complements the spices and herbs found in sopressata. The cheese's creamy and tangy flavour also helps to balance the savoury notes of the meat.

In addition to its flavour and texture, Fromager d'Affinois also has a visual appeal with its bloomy rind and pale yellow colour. When serving Fromager d'Affinois with sopressata, it is recommended to include other accompaniments such as fresh berries, a crusty baguette, and walnuts. For a complete culinary experience, pair this combination with a glass of light wine, such as Chardonnay or Pinot Noir, to enhance the flavours of both the cheese and the meat.

Fromager d'Affinois is a versatile cheese that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. It can be paired with fruits and nuts on a cheese platter, melted into a gourmet sandwich, or served as part of a charcuterie board with sopressata. Its creamy texture and mild flavour make it a crowd-pleaser and a perfect choice for those looking to elevate their culinary experiences.

Havarti is another good cheese pairing

Enjoy the Havarti and Sopressata alongside Frantoio's Artichoke Paste, Rustic Bakery Organic Crackers, Taggiasche Olives in Brine, and a glass of Merlot or Syrah.

Havarti is a good option when someone isn't exposed to cheeses as it has flavour but isn't full-on "foot cheese". It is also a good option for those who don't like chèvre styles.

Try a creamy cheese

When it comes to choosing the best cheese to pair with sopressata, a creamy cheese is a great option. Here are some tips and recommendations for selecting a creamy cheese that will complement this dry salami:

Variety is key when creating a charcuterie board, and a creamy cheese can add a delicious contrast in texture and flavour. Creamy cheeses tend to be soft, with a rich and buttery mouthfeel. They are often mild in flavour, but can also offer a tangy or nutty taste. When paired with the robust and spicy notes of sopressata, a creamy cheese creates a delightful combination.

One highly recommended creamy cheese to pair with sopressata is Fromager d'Affinois. This French cheese has a supple and buttery taste that beautifully enhances the herbs and spices in the sopressata. Its decadent texture may remind you of a triple-creme cheese, but it is achieved through "ultra filtration", which breaks down the fat molecules in the milk to create a thick and tangy spread. Fromager d'Affinois is the perfect companion to the meaty texture of sopressata.

Another excellent option is La Tur, a dense and creamy blend of pasteurised cow, goat, and sheep milk from Italy's Piedmont region. This cheese is runny and oozy, making it a luscious choice that will complement the sopressata's bold flavours.

When creating a charcuterie board, it is recommended to have a mix of hard and soft cheeses, as well as salty and sweet options. You can also layer flavours by serving the cheese with fig spread, jam, honey, or peppered jelly. In terms of presentation, you can slice the cheese into thin wedges or cubes, or spread it on crackers or bread.

In addition to Fromager d'Affinois and La Tur, other creamy cheeses that can pair well with sopressata include Brie, Saint Andre, Tallegio, and Camembert. These cheeses offer a soft and creamy texture that will provide a nice contrast to the dryness of the salami.

When selecting a creamy cheese, consider the following tips:

• Taste test different cheeses to find the perfect pairing for your sopressata.
• Choose a cheese with a mild or tangy flavour that will complement the spices in the sopressata.
• Look for a cheese with a soft and buttery texture that will create a nice contrast in mouthfeel.
• Consider the overall flavour profile of your charcuterie board, and select a cheese that will enhance the other ingredients.

A semi-soft cheese is a good option

When it comes to the best cheese to pair with sopressata, a semi-soft cheese is a good option. Sopressata is a dry salami, usually made with pork or beef, and often featuring herbs and spices. To complement these flavours, a semi-soft cheese with a supple and buttery taste, like Havarti, is an excellent choice. The creaminess of the cheese will enhance the savoury notes of the sopressata, while its earthy and nutty flavours will be brought to the fore.

Havarti is a semi-soft cheese with a supple, buttery flavour that complements the herbs and spices in the sopressata. It is a creamy cheese with a rich, decadent texture that will elevate the overall taste experience. The cheese is produced in Wisconsin, USA, using whole milk, with added cream for an extra touch of luxury. This combination of milk and cream gives Havarti a surprisingly luxurious taste that can stand up to the depth of flavour in the sopressata.

When creating a charcuterie board, it is important to consider different levels of flavours and textures. Variety is key, and a semi-soft cheese like Havarti can bring a wonderful contrast to the board, especially when paired with the leaner, coarser cuts of sopressata. To serve, it is recommended to slice the cheese thinly and enjoy it alongside the sopressata, as well as some crackers, olives, and perhaps a glass of Merlot or Syrah.

For a well-rounded charcuterie experience, it is ideal to have a mix of hard and soft cheeses, as well as salty and sweet options. A semi-soft cheese like Havarti can be a great starting point, offering a balance of flavours and textures that will delight your taste buds. So, the next time you're crafting a charcuterie board, consider making Havarti your go-to choice to pair with sopressata.

Choose a cheese that will allow the sopressata's herbs and spices to shine

When choosing a cheese to pair with sopressata, it's important to select one that will complement the meat's herbs and spices without overwhelming its flavour. A creamy cheese like Fromager d'Affinois is an excellent choice, as its supple and buttery taste allows the sopressata's herbs and spices to shine through. Fromager d'Affinois has a decadent texture that may remind you of a triple-creme cheese, but this is achieved through ""ultra filtration", which breaks down the fat molecules in the milk to further disperse them throughout the paste. The result is a thick, nearly whipped spread of tangy, milky goodness that pairs perfectly with the meatiness of the sopressata.

Another option is La Tur, a dense, creamy blend of pasteurised cow, goat, and sheep milk from Italy's Piedmont region. This cheese is runny and oozy, making it another luscious, creamy option that will enhance the flavour of the sopressata.

When creating a charcuterie board, it's important to include a mix of hard and soft cheeses, as well as salty and sweet options, to provide a variety of flavours and textures for your guests. In addition to cheese and meat, consider adding accompaniments such as spreads, jams, honey, dried or fresh fruits, nuts, olives, crackers, or bread.

Frequently asked questions